Lesson - Canter Half-Pass

First - Rode Pico yesterday in the arena.  Worked on bend, leg-yield, shoulder-in, canter depart.  He is getting better every day.  Today I turned him out for awhile intending to ride, but the tennis scrimamge took longer than I expected, so he didn't get ridden.

Lesson on Gracie with Frances:  We worked most of the time on the right canter half-pass.  Key is to sit up really tall.  I can't seem to concentrate on my left seat-bone and stay tall and sit to the right all at the same time.  If I think more about stretching my right side and keeping both knees bent I end up in the correct place.  Gracie started out a little unhappy, but got better fairly quickly.  

We did a little work to the left, but concentrated on shoulder-in at the canter.  That alone is difficult.  I have a hard time maintaining left bend and still using my right rein. 

Exercise there was canter with shoulder-in, 10 meter circle, maintain shoulder-in down rail, 10 M circle, etc.  We had very nice 10m circles to the right, not so much to the left.  That's probably the exercise I need to work on at home before next week.   Going to the left I really have to think tall, stretch the inside of my body, and keep both knees bent.  Also don't let my hands get stuck - they need to do something twice a stride.

Worked a little on down transitions - think 3 strides of canter in place, then walk.  Works like a charm and keeps her engaged so she doesn't through her haunches to the right.

Tomorrow the sun will shine, the wind will go away, and I will ride both horses!